What is your biggest fear for the Western Bay of Plenty?
"It's not going to happen in the next year or two but we are headed for serious levels of climate change. With the Western Bay of Plenty being a significant fruit-growing area, there is particular worry about increased
incidents of severe storms. We are already seeing some of them. In the Bay there is a lot of low-lying areas and scientists have said the sea will rise by a metre by the end of the century and in the longer terms of course, if we don't change, we are looking at rises of 20m."
Is there an aspect of the Rena grounding you think the general public has failed to grasp or given appropriate attention to (other than offshore drilling)?
"I'm not experienced in that and I think it has been said, particularly by Gareth Hughes [Green MP] who is doing an amazing job ... It seems to me that oil is damaging in so many different ways. It's contributing to climate change.
"We have become so dependent on it that we don't really know what we are going to do when it eventually runs out.
"It all has an extremely dangerous effect as well as poisoning all of the marine life.
"Many people thought oil on the beaches was bad but that is actually much less serious than the impact in the sea. We don't see all of the marine creatures that die at sea because of the oil or highly toxic dispersant."
Is there a practical and affordable alternative to the use of toxic sprays in and around Tauranga's parks and beaches?
"There are more and more orchards growing certified organic fruit, so if they can do it you have to ask 'why can't everybody do it?' Certainly there are people who grow avocados with no use of pesticides, kiwifruit with no Hi-Cane and no Roundup.
"The kiwifruit industry is moving significantly in that area but Hi-Cane and Roundup are still used in the many orchards."
Shark surfing - are you a fan?
"This was a dead shark, so I would say it was just in bad taste rather than being cruel or damaging to the animal. If anyone tried doing it on a live animal, I would be much more concerned.
"I don't rate it as ecological harm by a long way, just a lack of respect."
What is your guilty pleasure, and do you have more time for it now?
"I suppose the fact I still use a car and I still fly. I have an incredibly efficient car and I drive in a way that minimises fuel consumption but I still know my car is contributing to climate change.
"I know if I had to go to Wellington for the work I'm doing, I really can't get there without flying. It would have to be transport. My home is about as ecologically friendly as you can get but transport, that would be it."